Mitch Lawrence: KG a "classless winner"

[guava_wrench]

LOL I fired off an e-mail questioning the validity of his statements and he fired an e-mail right back at me.  Here is the quick response:


First off, I am a huge KG fan.
But his post-game rant at courtside was BS....
I know he was in the moment, but show a little humility. Or is that too much to expect?

Would love an explanation of how he lacked humility on the sidelines. And if he did, he had the right considering how much criticism he has gotten over the years don't ya think? I guess hugging Russell and asking him if he was proud of the team was not good enough. KG also thanked Minnesota, Chicago and his birth place. A 'writer' who comes back with saying something is BS is the one who is BS.

Amen. KG might be a jerk to opponents on the court, but there's nothing to be offended about off the court unless you are a puritan who cowers when hearing swear words.

The guy is emotional. People who have problems with his rantings must have serious inferiority complexes or be incredibly arrogant themselves to worry so much about censoring a basketball player expressing his profound joy.

[satch]

"Classless".....watch Kobe.

[nickagneta]

LOL I fired off an e-mail questioning the validity of his statements and he fired an e-mail right back at me.  Here is the quick response:


First off, I am a huge KG fan.
But his post-game rant at courtside was BS....
I know he was in the moment, but show a little humility. Or is that too much to expect?

I wonder if he thought Michael Strahan was conducting himself properly during his Superbowl celebration and his little "We stomping you out" dance/leap. Does that make Starhan a 'classless winner" too or is it that only Boston athletes are classless?

Both celebrations were emotional reactions to a career of questioning whether the player had the makeup of a champion and was a self vindicating act of emotion. Nothing wrong with either.

But I wonder if this idiot felt the same way about the hometown Strahan.

[Smitty]

Here is my brief email exchange with Mitch thus far: (Remember, it is in reverse order.  Read from the bottom up:-))

Not really.  ALL flipping season you EXPERTS overrated the West terribly.  The C's had a better winning percentage 9@84%) vs. the vaunted West than vs. the East.  I believe that Detroit definitely would  have beaten the Fakers and the Cavs likely could have as well.  The Spurs are clearly an aging team and were down due to Parker and Gino's injuries.  The Hornets, tho good, are VERY green still.  Watch out for them in the next few years IF they get a couple more pieces:-))  The Suns traded away their chance for this year as did the Mavs.  The West was highly overrated.

When will you guys admit this???

I did take us some time to learn HOW to play playoff ball together, which is vastly different than the regular season.  We had a 21-year-old PG leading our team and an unproven 24-year-old center that didn't go to college at all.  However, we proved that we could beat a SOLID veteran Piston team on the road TWICE.

I and many other C's fans would appreciate getting some respect next year!!

Thanks,

Smitty

>>> "Lawrence, Mitch" <MLawrence@nydailynews.com> 6/20/2008 9:44 PM >>>
as doc rivers said when asked why so many experts picked vs. boston, "well, we caused it''....
they did. atlanta took em to 7. cleveland had a real shot to win game 7. celtics finally won on the road in detroit.
meanwhile, la breezes thru the west, losing only 3 times
kobe kills off the spurs and looks like he'll be the best player on the court in the finals
that's why, OK?
is that enough?
it is from here
 

________________________________

From: Scott Smith [mailto:ssmith5318@stanly.edu]
Sent: Fri 6/20/2008 9:15 PM
To: Lawrence, Mitch
Subject: RE: Comments about KG



Mitch,

I know you are busy, but come on buddy.  Give me some more my friend.  I know what you were talking about.  I want to know about your pre-Finals comments as well.  Fill me in as to WHY you and most of all the other EXPERTS were SO convinced that the C's, a team that had just won the 7th most reg. season games and had the 4th best EVER point differential (ONLY teams with a cat by the initials of MJ had better) and might have been the best defensive team of the modern era, did NOT stand a chance against a SOFT Lakers' team.

Smitty

>>> "Lawrence, Mitch" <MLawrence@nydailynews.com> 6/20/2008 9:09 PM >>>
his on court post game comments


________________________________

From: Scott Smith [mailto:ssmith5318@stanly.edu]
Sent: Fri 6/20/2008 9:04 PM
To: Lawrence, Mitch
Subject: Comments about KG


Mitch,

I would love for you to explain your comments about one of the classiest guys in the league, Kevin Garnett.  Did KG ever publicly humiliate the powers that be in Minny when they were in turmoil like Kobe did last year?  Has KG EVER been accused of RAPING anyone?

Please explain HOW anyone can have any respect for you given these pre-finals quotes:

"They're the most dominant team still standing and the favorites, as far as we're concerned, even if they won't have the home-court advantage."

"Here's why they can prepare to hang another banner at Staples Center. They have what Boston and about 28 other teams don't possess. Bryant is the best closer in the game..."

"'We play for one thing and one thing only, and that's championships,' Bryant said after taking out the Spurs. 'Now the real season starts.'  The Celtics can consider that fair warning."

Fair warning???  I have NEVER seen an MVP choke any more than Kobe did in this series.  Paul Pierce, clearly not a regular season top five for MVP, clearly outplayed "the best closer in the game."  Kobe IS the most over-rated superstar in modern sports history.

I look so VERY forward to your explanations of your "CLASSLESS" and clueless comments about KG and your rational explanation as to HOW you could possibly have been SO wrong about what you said in print before the series.

Smitty

[NoraG1]

Here is my brief email exchange with Mitch thus far: (Remember, it is in reverse order.  Read from the bottom up:-))

Not really.  ALL flipping season you EXPERTS overrated the West terribly.  The C's had a better winning percentage 9@84%) vs. the vaunted West than vs. the East.  I believe that Detroit definitely would  have beaten the Fakers and the Cavs likely could have as well.  The Spurs are clearly an aging team and were down due to Parker and Gino's injuries.  The Hornets, tho good, are VERY green still.  Watch out for them in the next few years IF they get a couple more pieces:-))  The Suns traded away their chance for this year as did the Mavs.  The West was highly overrated.

When will you guys admit this???

I did take us some time to learn HOW to play playoff ball together, which is vastly different than the regular season.  We had a 21-year-old PG leading our team and an unproven 24-year-old center that didn't go to college at all.  However, we proved that we could beat a SOLID veteran Piston team on the road TWICE.

I and many other C's fans would appreciate getting some respect next year!!

Thanks,

Smitty

>>> "Lawrence, Mitch" <MLawrence@nydailynews.com> 6/20/2008 9:44 PM >>>
as doc rivers said when asked why so many experts picked vs. boston, "well, we caused it''....
they did. atlanta took em to 7. cleveland had a real shot to win game 7. celtics finally won on the road in detroit.
meanwhile, la breezes thru the west, losing only 3 times
kobe kills off the spurs and looks like he'll be the best player on the court in the finals
that's why, OK?
is that enough?
it is from here
 

________________________________

From: Scott Smith [mailto:ssmith5318@stanly.edu]
Sent: Fri 6/20/2008 9:15 PM
To: Lawrence, Mitch
Subject: RE: Comments about KG



Mitch,

I know you are busy, but come on buddy.  Give me some more my friend.  I know what you were talking about.  I want to know about your pre-Finals comments as well.  Fill me in as to WHY you and most of all the other EXPERTS were SO convinced that the C's, a team that had just won the 7th most reg. season games and had the 4th best EVER point differential (ONLY teams with a cat by the initials of MJ had better) and might have been the best defensive team of the modern era, did NOT stand a chance against a SOFT Lakers' team.

Smitty

>>> "Lawrence, Mitch" <MLawrence@nydailynews.com> 6/20/2008 9:09 PM >>>
his on court post game comments


________________________________

From: Scott Smith [mailto:ssmith5318@stanly.edu]
Sent: Fri 6/20/2008 9:04 PM
To: Lawrence, Mitch
Subject: Comments about KG


Mitch,

I would love for you to explain your comments about one of the classiest guys in the league, Kevin Garnett.  Did KG ever publicly humiliate the powers that be in Minny when they were in turmoil like Kobe did last year?  Has KG EVER been accused of RAPING anyone?

Please explain HOW anyone can have any respect for you given these pre-finals quotes:

"They're the most dominant team still standing and the favorites, as far as we're concerned, even if they won't have the home-court advantage."

"Here's why they can prepare to hang another banner at Staples Center. They have what Boston and about 28 other teams don't possess. Bryant is the best closer in the game..."

"'We play for one thing and one thing only, and that's championships,' Bryant said after taking out the Spurs. 'Now the real season starts.'  The Celtics can consider that fair warning."

Fair warning???  I have NEVER seen an MVP choke any more than Kobe did in this series.  Paul Pierce, clearly not a regular season top five for MVP, clearly outplayed "the best closer in the game."  Kobe IS the most over-rated superstar in modern sports history.

I look so VERY forward to your explanations of your "CLASSLESS" and clueless comments about KG and your rational explanation as to HOW you could possibly have been SO wrong about what you said in print before the series.

Smitty

I have yet to see an explanation of what offended this clown so much beside the 'post game comments' he can't give a better explanation then that then he looks silly and copmpletely bias. How about Kobe and the way he acted this summer apparently that is acceptable but a few comments (none he can specify) KG made in a post game celebration of his 1st championship was greatly offensive? Wow, this guy is a clown!

As for his comments about predictions. They look foolish considering how easily C's demolished his beloved Lakers. Obviously the so called experts need to look alot deeper then a past serie or 2. It was not a good explanation or excuse to not pick the C's and the results showed that. Analysts have no more clue then regular fans.

[ACF]

Here is my brief email exchange with Mitch thus far: (Remember, it is in reverse order.  Read from the bottom up:-))

Not really.  ALL flipping season you EXPERTS overrated the West terribly.  The C's had a better winning percentage 9@84%) vs. the vaunted West than vs. the East.  I believe that Detroit definitely would  have beaten the Fakers and the Cavs likely could have as well.  The Spurs are clearly an aging team and were down due to Parker and Gino's injuries.  The Hornets, tho good, are VERY green still.  Watch out for them in the next few years IF they get a couple more pieces:-))  The Suns traded away their chance for this year as did the Mavs.  The West was highly overrated.

When will you guys admit this???

I did take us some time to learn HOW to play playoff ball together, which is vastly different than the regular season.  We had a 21-year-old PG leading our team and an unproven 24-year-old center that didn't go to college at all.  However, we proved that we could beat a SOLID veteran Piston team on the road TWICE.

I and many other C's fans would appreciate getting some respect next year!!

Thanks,

Smitty

>>> "Lawrence, Mitch" <MLawrence@nydailynews.com> 6/20/2008 9:44 PM >>>
as doc rivers said when asked why so many experts picked vs. boston, "well, we caused it''....
they did. atlanta took em to 7. cleveland had a real shot to win game 7. celtics finally won on the road in detroit.
meanwhile, la breezes thru the west, losing only 3 times
kobe kills off the spurs and looks like he'll be the best player on the court in the finals
that's why, OK?
is that enough?
it is from here
 

________________________________

From: Scott Smith [mailto:ssmith5318@stanly.edu]
Sent: Fri 6/20/2008 9:15 PM
To: Lawrence, Mitch
Subject: RE: Comments about KG



Mitch,

I know you are busy, but come on buddy.  Give me some more my friend.  I know what you were talking about.  I want to know about your pre-Finals comments as well.  Fill me in as to WHY you and most of all the other EXPERTS were SO convinced that the C's, a team that had just won the 7th most reg. season games and had the 4th best EVER point differential (ONLY teams with a cat by the initials of MJ had better) and might have been the best defensive team of the modern era, did NOT stand a chance against a SOFT Lakers' team.

Smitty

>>> "Lawrence, Mitch" <MLawrence@nydailynews.com> 6/20/2008 9:09 PM >>>
his on court post game comments


________________________________

From: Scott Smith [mailto:ssmith5318@stanly.edu]
Sent: Fri 6/20/2008 9:04 PM
To: Lawrence, Mitch
Subject: Comments about KG


Mitch,

I would love for you to explain your comments about one of the classiest guys in the league, Kevin Garnett.  Did KG ever publicly humiliate the powers that be in Minny when they were in turmoil like Kobe did last year?  Has KG EVER been accused of RAPING anyone?

Please explain HOW anyone can have any respect for you given these pre-finals quotes:

"They're the most dominant team still standing and the favorites, as far as we're concerned, even if they won't have the home-court advantage."

"Here's why they can prepare to hang another banner at Staples Center. They have what Boston and about 28 other teams don't possess. Bryant is the best closer in the game..."

"'We play for one thing and one thing only, and that's championships,' Bryant said after taking out the Spurs. 'Now the real season starts.'  The Celtics can consider that fair warning."

Fair warning???  I have NEVER seen an MVP choke any more than Kobe did in this series.  Paul Pierce, clearly not a regular season top five for MVP, clearly outplayed "the best closer in the game."  Kobe IS the most over-rated superstar in modern sports history.

I look so VERY forward to your explanations of your "CLASSLESS" and clueless comments about KG and your rational explanation as to HOW you could possibly have been SO wrong about what you said in print before the series.

Smitty

Thanks, Smitty.
A big TP for reppin'.
And to quote KG:
"WHAT THEY GONNA SAY NOW!?"

[Bahku]

Mitch Lawrence = Miserable Liar

Mitch Lawrence = Moronic Loser

Mitch Lawrence = Malcontent Lackey

Mitch Lawrence = Misguided Low-life

Mitch Lawrence = Media Light-weight

Mitch Lawrence = Malevolent Lycanthrope

(Take your pick)

Some people find the need to belittle and lessen the success of others, as it's their only way of dealing with their own inferiority complex ... Mitch is a perfect example.

[RebusRankin]

I've emailed him to about his comments and when I asked him to explain how KG was classless he pointed to the celebrations on the court and said do the opposite. The guy is cluelss, that wasn't a classless celebration. Was it classless when Jordan hugged that trophy and cried like a newborn after he won his first championship? On a lighter note, is anybody amazed Lawrence spends this much time emailing with fans?

[Leftcoast fan]

I'm new at this but who is "Mitch Lawrence?" Living in LA and listening to all the talk shows 'wine' about how tough and rough the Celtics were. Bet around town is that Kobie will agian act up this summer, asking for a trade.

[Terry Duerod]

I am tired of writers who are just contrarian to be contrarian.

I am tired of writers who criticize people for being human. 

I am tired of writers who have never accomplished anything significant in their lives behaving like experts and criticizing those who have.  All these guys do is write about other people who are actually doing things.  Maybe that is why they are so frustrated.

Lawrence fits the bill on all counts.

[Roy Hobbs]

... [When] I asked him to explain how KG was classless he pointed to the celebrations on the court and said do the opposite. ...

Statements like that irritate me.  If you're going to have a contrary opinion, fine.  However, you have to back it up with more than "don't do what he did".  He should explain what, exactly, about KG's celebration was inappropriate, but he can't do so.  Why?  Because his opinion isn't grounded in anything but his own hatred.

[BudweiserCeltic]

... [When] I asked him to explain how KG was classless he pointed to the celebrations on the court and said do the opposite. ...

Statements like that irritate me.  If you're going to have a contrary opinion, fine.  However, you have to back it up with more than "don't do what he did".  He should explain what, exactly, about KG's celebration was inappropriate, but he can't do so.  Why?  Because his opinion isn't grounded in anything but his own hatred.

I think this Mitch Lawrence confused basketball with tennis.

[munjman]

Mitch Lawrence writes for the NY Post. Most people don't think its worth the 25 cents it costs you each day. Mitch is an example why.

TP - I just liked the way you said that

[Roy Hobbs]

Other "classless" victory celebrations:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8cTR6fk8frs

http://youtube.com/watch?v=llgL7mGYVTI

[indeedproceed]

Mitch Lawrence works for the NY Daily News.

His comments on the radio show were pretty personal toward KG, and were virtually dripping with contempt.

He also really likes to play the whole "I know things you don't because Im a real life reporter." card. If you really asked him for an answer in person he'd say something like "Look, I've just seen stuff that a lot of fans can't see that wasn't caught on tape that made me think he was lacking in class." Then he'd walk away sure in the knowledge that his "secret insider info" had justified him again. What a tool.

I'd post a link to the guy's index so you could see some more of his works but I don't wanna hype him up any more.